What is a Qualifying Disability for Social Security?

Social Security administers two disability programs (SSI and Social Security disability); each program is designed to award benefits based upon an individual’s residual functional capacity rather than specific medical or mental conditions. Residual functional capacity is simply what an individual can do despite the limitations forced upon them by their medical and/or mental condition.

For this reason any mental or physical impairment may be considered a qualifying disability for Social Security disability purposes if it imposes limitations that prevent an individual from engaging in substantial gainful work activity for twelve months or more.

As I stated earlier, an individual’s specific medical or mental condition is not as important as how the condition limits their ability to perform routine daily activities of living such as cooking, shopping, driving, managing their money, taking care of personal hygiene, personal interaction with friends and family; routine daily activity includes the ability to maintain work activity as well as interacting with supervisors and coworkers.

Social Security disability claims can be won on the basis of any physical or mental disability, because all disabilities are potentially qualifying disabilities.




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